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Fish Photography

Because you only have a few seconds to capture the perfect fishing photo, there are a lot of things that can go wrong.  Glare, people and fish getting cut out of the picture, too many shadows due to bad lighting, all of these things and other problems can interfere with your photo.  Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make your fishing photos come out picture perfect.

  1. Always have the camera within easy reach.  You never know when a photo-worthy fish will be caught and you don't want to be fumbling in your bags for your camera.
  2. Take several shots of the fish, 3 at absolute minimum. A close up photo, one at a short distance away, and then one beside an item that can be measured, like your hand or a ruler (doing this will help you to determine the actual size of the fish.)  It's also a good idea to take several shots at the same angle to make sure that at least one of the shots will come out well.
  3. If there is sun, the angler should be facing the sun and the photographer should have the sun at his back.
  4. Use the flash even if it's sunny outside.  This will ensure that you won't have shadows in the photo where you don't want them. 
  5. Be sure to center the subject in the photograph, whether it's the angler with the fish or the fish alone.
  6. If you're fishing on a boat, consider getting a screw-on polarizer cap for your camera.  It will help diminish the natural glare from the water.
  7. Be sure that everything is arranged and the picture is ready to be taken before handling the fish.
  8. Keep the fish in the water just up until the photo is being taken.  Every second that the fish spends out of the water cuts the fish's chance for survival after release.
  9. When you are ready for the picture, barely lift the fish out of the water.
  10. Carefully support the fish by cradling the fish in your hands.  Place one hand under the fish's belly and one at the fish's tail.
  11. When you lift the fish, keep it horizontal and support it's full body weight.  Never hold the fish in a vertical position by it's jaw.
  12. Never keep the fish out of the water for more than 20 seconds.  A fish cannot remain healthy out of the water for longer than you can hold your breath.
  13. After the photo has been taken, lower the fish into the water and gently move the fish back and forth in the water to revive it.  As soon as the fish tries to swim away, release the fish.